China’s Huge Poverty Gap Slowing Growth, UN Says

It tracks the vast and increasing gaps between rural and urban areas and regions of China – warning that differences in income are matched by disparities in social welfare, education and elderly care.

While Beijing and Shanghai have reached the development level of countries such as Cyprus and Portugal, provinces such as south-western Guizhou are comparable to Namibia or Botswana.

The Human Development Report argues that pressing ahead in providing basic healthcare, education and welfare to all Chinese citizens will boost the country’s economy in the face of the global slowdown.